Filling replenishing mechanism



Oct. 10, 1950 J. RlNNE ETAL FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM '7Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14. 1947 INVENTORS. JOHN RINNE EVERETT H.ASHTON ROBERT G- MALLARD EDWARD L. KIELCZEWS Kl B) W SW A TTOR/VEY Oct.10, 1950 J. RINNE ETAL FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Nov. 1 1947 INVENTORS. JOHN RINNE K F DM MN ORE R AZ O HLCT SLL AmMKJ E M m? R WW E V MN ww miw 1950 J. RINNE ETAL 2,525,148

FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 14. 1947 Sheets-Sheet 3 12212a 2 114 I I I 74 113 Fink l uni INVENTORS. E JOHN RINNE I I Fl EVERETTH ASHTON ROBERT GIMALLARD 1 EDWARD L..KlEl CZ EWSK| ATTORNEY 1950 J.RlNNE ETAL 2,525,148

FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 14, 1947 7 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTORS. JOHN RINNE EVERETT H.ASHTON ROBERT G.MALLARD EDWARDLJKIELCZEWSKI y MW? 8% ATTORNEY Oct. 10, 1950 Filed Nov. 14, 1947- J.RINNE ETAL 2,525,148

FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM v 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 174 l f \\\\\\\mk\\v.cs

4M5 103- H5 144- 104 I43 741 \e I O :1 Q); Q

INVENTORS JOHN -RINNE EVERETT H. ASHTON ROBERT G.MALLARD EDWARDLKIELCZEWSKI ZYDW UM ATTORNEY Oct. 10, 1950 J. RINNE ETAL 2,525,148

"FILLING REPLENISHING MECHANISM Filed-NW. 14, 1947 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITII- 222 I 90 JOHN RINNE 1 EvERETT H. ASHTON ROBERT e.MALLARD EDWARD L..KlELCZEW5KI By A TTOR/VEV 1950 J. RINNE ETAL FILLINGREFLENISHING MECHANISM Filed No'v.- 14. A947 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Ammm.Aqjtvltwlml MINA I k L 221 2/6 7'16 I INVENTORS. JOHN RINNE EVERETTH./\SHTON ROBERT G. MALLARD EDWARD L.K!ELCZEWSKI A TTOR/VEV lowermoststop engaging one.

Patented Oct. 10, 1950 FILLING REPLENISH ING MECHANISM John Rinne,Brooklyn, N. Y-., Everett H. Ashton, Jersey City, N. J., Robert G.Mallard, Staten Island, N. Y.,

and Edward L. Kielczewski,

Kearny, N. 5., assignors to The M. W. Kellogg Company, Jersey City, N.J., a corporation of Delaware Application November 14, 1947, Serial No.785,844 45 Claims. (01.139443) The present invention relates toautomatic filling replenishing mechanisms for looms.

In the usual type of automatic loom of the fly shuttle type, there isprovided a rotary hopper or battery in which the reserve fillingcarriers or bobbins, arranged'in a circular series, are held by theirheels and tips between two disks. The ends of the filling yarn from thebobbins are wound around a stud coaxial with the hopper and in positionto be subsequently threaded into the shuttle eye upon transfer.

The hopper is rotated step by step to successively position the bobbinsagainst a combined stop and bobbin guide. The stop is so located that itwill check the lowermost bobbin in the correct position for it to beforced out of the hopper and into the shuttle.

The vibration of the loom during its normal operation causes rotation oroscillation of the bobbins in the hopper and more particularly the veryoften causes the end of the filling yarn of the lowermost bobbin eitherto become loose or to wind itself around the stud and thus becomebroken. A comparatively complicated mechanism has been provided forholding the lowermost bobbin in the hopper against rotation oroscillation about its axis prior to transfer into the shuttle. Suchmechanism must be operated quickly to release the held bobbin forimmediate transfer when such transfer is indicated. This sets upundesirable inertial and shock forces in the loomespecially whenoperating at high speeds.

One object of the present invention is to pro vide new and improvedmeans for checking the rotation of the hopper Without the use of theusual bobbin engaging stop and guide, thereby reducing oscillation orrotation of the lowermost bobbin to a minimum, and dispensing with thebobbin holding means usually employed to counteract the rotative effectof loom vibrations on said bobbin. V

Another object is to provide a rotary hopper with new and improvedbobbin retaining means which are comparatively simple but neverthelessof rugged construction which permit easy filling of the hopper and whichare operable to permit and aid in efiicient ejection from the hopperupon transfer.

flanged end plate thatcarries the support on.

This vibration which the bobbin heel and tip discs rotate. The bobbinheel disc contains a number of recesses in which the heels of the bobbinare inserted and in part retained by the flange of the stationary plate.The flange on the lower part of the stationary plate is cut out so thatthe bobbin will have free passage from the hopper to the shuttle. It is,therefore, necessary to provide a movable support for the lowermostbobbin. The support must be quickly moved out of the way of thelowermost bobbin when transfer is indicated, thereby requiringcomparatively complicated mechanisms for the purpose and setting upadditional undesirable inertial and shock forces in the operation of theloom.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a new andimproved hopper construction which avoids the use of any bobbin supportssuch as those described.

In prior loom constructions, the arm by which the bobbin in the hopperis transferred to the shuttle is heavy and has along leverage. Thetransfer operation is performed as the lay approaches from center andtakes place in a very short period of time. Such rapid operation entailsconsiderable strain and shock and sets up undesirable inertial forceswhich tend to knock the incoming bobbin through the shuttle because theoutgoing bobbin spreads the shuttle spring tines. It is, therefore,necessary to employ a heavy spring to stop the transfer mechanism andreturn it to its initial position. This spring 'is also strong enough torotate the hopper into the next successive transfer position. Such aheavy spring is objectionable since it causes undue wear on the partsespecially the ratchet and pawl mechanism associated with the step bystep feed of the hopper.

Furthermore, in the prior art, the transfer arm has to stop a'shortdistance from final DO- sition to prevent the fresh bobbin from beingoverthrown beyond the shuttle during transfer action. "Stops havebeenemployed to minimize against such overthrows. If the transfer arm isoperated to carry the fresh bobbin up to the shuttle, then overthrowaction on said arm will eject the fresh bobbin from the shuttle.

Another object is to provide a transfer mechanism which is subject toimproved control and which is operable to effect smooth transfer of thebobbin with minimum shock and without tending to knock the fresh bobbinthrough the shuttle. V

A further object is to provide an improved filling replenishingmechanism in which the bobbin as it is being transferred is maintainedhopper containing twenty-eight stations position for the replenishingoperation properly to be accomplished. To prevent an attempted transferwhen the shuttle is not inproper position, there is usually provided ashuttle feeler which engages the shuttle upon forward movement of animproperly boxed shuttle when there is a call for a transfer and whichthereby revokes the call.

A further object of the present invention is to provide ashuttle feelerwhich is free from long lost-motion mechanisms tendingto causeundesirable delay actions and which is accurate and instantaneous in itsreaction.

Another object is to provide a shuttle feeler having. a new and improvedmeans by which transverse adjustment of the feeler to provide forchanges in shuttle sizes may be effected simply without interfering withadjustments in other associated mechanisms. I

A further object is to provide a shuttle feeler which is inherentlyrugged because of the nature ,of its design and which requires no guideto imfpart lateral stability thereto.

In prior art constructions, the hopper has a manual indexing control bywhich the hopper can bemanually rotated. However, the bobbin stopassociated with the hopper permits manual rotation of the hopper only tothe extent to which the hopper is unfi11ed,- since the hopper will stop,in any case, just-as soon as the bobbin nearest the stop reaches saidstop.

A further object of the present invention is to i provide a hopperindexing mechanism which can be manually operated andcontrolled torotate the hopper selectively inany rotative position inl dependently ofthe number of bobbins thereon,

and to render transfer ineffective while under manual control a f In theusual transfer mechanism, there is located. near the bottom of thehopper a transfer arm disposed between the two hopper discs near thebobbin heel disc'ancl adapted to engage the heel of the lowermost bobbinupon transfer and a transverse extension of said arm also disposed;between said discs and adapted to engage the tip of said lowermostbobbin upon transfer. The resulting blocking of the lower section of thehopper plus the presence of a stop in the way of the .lowermost bobbinmakes it impossible to completely fill the hopper. Therefore, the usualor spaces can only be filled to accommodate twenty- Another object ofthe present invention is to provide anew and improved hopper and a newand improved bobbin transfer mechanism which permit the complete easyfilling of the hopper.

Another object is to provide a new and improved filling'replenishingmechanism in which of the invention will be apparent from the followingparticular description, and from the inspection of the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective of the right hand side of the loomand shows a filling replenishing mechanism embodying the presentinvention;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in vertical section of the filling replenishingmechanism and particularly the bobbin hopper and thread guide and showssaid hopper adjusted to accommodate bobbins of one size and prior totransfer action;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section of the bobbin hopper, butadjusted to accommodate bobbins of smaller size;

Fig. 4 is detail view of the heel retaining clip structure of the bobbinheel disc of the hopper taken approximately along the lines 4-4 of Fig.2, but shown on a larger scale and illustrating the lowermost bobbinprior to being transferred to the shuttle;

Fig. 5 is detail view similar to that of Fig. 4 but showing thelowermost bobbin in the process of being transferred tothe shuttle;

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the tip retaining clip structure of thebobbin tip disc of the hopper taken approximately along the lines 6-6 ofFig.

'2, but shown on a larger scale and illustrating the lowermost bobbinprior to being transferred to the shuttle and corresponding to theposition of the bobbin shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a detail view similar to that of Fig. 6, but showing thelowermost bobbin in the process of being transferred to the shuttle;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section showing the latch rod and the bobbinretaining clip structure of the two hopper discs;

Fig. 9 is a section of the transfer mechanism taken approximately alongthe lines 9 9 of 2 and shown before transfer is indicated;

Fig. 10 is a section of the transfer mechanism taken approximately alongthe lines lib-I 0 of Fig. 9 and shown after indication of transfer andat the beginning of the transfer;

Fig. 11 is a section of the transfer mechanism taken on line ll-H ofFig. 10, but shown at the beginning of transfer;

Fig. 12 is a section, similar to that of Fig. 11, of the transfermechanism shown at the end of transfer;

Fig. 13 is a section of the shuttle feeler mechanism taken approximatelyon lines l3!3 of Fig. 10 and shown at the instant when protection isindicated;

Fig. 14 is a section of the shuttle feeler mechanism similar to that ofFig. 13, but shown after protection has been completed;

Fig. 15 is a section through the shuttle feeler;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of the indexing mechanism by which the hopperis rotated at will by hand or automatically step by step;

Fig. 17 is a section of the hopper indexing mechanism takenapproximately along the lines I'I-l'! of Fig. 16 and'shown underautomatic control while the hopper is locker and before transfer;

Fig. 18 is a section of the hopper indexing mechanism similar to that ofFig. 17, but shown after transfer;

Fig. 18A is a fragmentary view better illustrating certain elementsshown in Fig. 18;

Fig. 19 is a section of the hopper indexing mechanism similar to that ofFig. 17, but shown during return of the transfer mechanism and beforethe hopper has been turned one step into the next transfer position;

Rotary hopper Referring to the Figs. 18 of the drawings,

the reserve bobbins it on which the filling yarn is wound are carried ina circular seriesin a rotatable hopper or magazine H. The hopper H is onthe right hand side of the loom and comprises a stationary plate 12secured to a hopper stand l3 which in turn is affixed to the breast beaml4, as shown, or some other convenient fixed member such as the loomside frame. The hopper stand [3 carries a bearing support [5 for ahopper shaft 16 to which a pair of axially spaced bobbin supportingcircular discs I! and i8 is affixed for rotation in unison; Theconnection between the rotatable bobbin supporting discs I! and i8 andthe hopper shaft !6 in Fig. 2 comprises along hub'Zll having a keyconnection 2! with said shaft. The .hub is integral or otherwise rigidat one end with the disc l8 and is provided at its other end with acoupling flange 22. The hub flangeizz is securedto the disc I! by bolts23 and is separated therefrom by a spacer collar 24.

Connected directly to the outerjside of the disc [8 in the arrangementof Fig. 2 isa peripherally notched thread guide c'ooperating with athread holder 2% in a'manner to be described. In this arrangement, thehopper H is set up for a long bobbin such as the standard 8% size. Whenit is desired to set up the hopper H for a shorter bobbin such as thestandard 8" size, the spacer collar 24 is removed from between thecoupling flange 22 and the disc l! and mounted between the disc 58 andthe hub of the threaded guide 25 as shown in Fig. 3. In this manner thehopper can be adjusted for twodifferent size bobbins without'disturbingthe axial positions of the disc H and the thread guide 25.

For releasably supporting-the heels or butts of the bobbins H) in thedisc H, the disc H has a ring in its outer'periphery secured thereto bystuds 3! and having a series of circumferentially spaced U-shapedperipheral recesses 32 in K which the heels of the bobbins it areinserted. Each of the recesses 32 is bounded by a bobbin support flange33 which is cut away in part on the outer side of said disc toaccommodate'the clip 54. Operating on the outer side of the disc 5'!along the flange free side of the recess 32 is a clip 34 secured to arocker shaft or latch rod 35 and having an inward cam projection 36adapted to engage the bobbin heel in said recess and retain itreleasably therein, as shown in Fig. 4. The latch rod 35 extends betweenthe discs ii and i8 and is j ournalled'in said discs for the purpose tobe described.

For releasably supporting the tips of the bobbins ill in the disc IB,said disc has a ring 39 attached thereto, and provided with a series ofperipheral U-shaped recesses 41'! in alignment with respective recesses32 in the'disc l1. Each recess is bounded by a flange 4! to support thetip of a corresponding bobbin. Cooperating with each of the recesses 40,and on the inner side of the disc I8, is a clip 42 secured to the latchrod 35 and having a notch 43 to straddle each of the bobbin tips. Theclip 42 has its notch 43 circularly designed to receive the radiallyinner side of the tip of the bobbin l0 snugly, in Fig. 6, and has a pairof wings 44 and 45 flanking said notchf One of the wings 44 is adaptedto engage the radially inner side of the bobbin tip and serves to aid inthe ejection of said bobbin tip during transfer, as shown in Fig. '7.The other wing 45 extends partially to the radially outer side of thebobbin tip and serves to retain the bobbin tip in its recess 40, asshown in Fig. 6. The clip wing 45 is moved out of the way of the bobbintip to permit ejection of said tip when the clip 42 is moved by atransfer indication, as shown in Fig. '7.

The corresponding clips 34 and 42 of each pair are connected forrotative movement in unison by the latch rod or rocker shaft 35. Thelatch rod 35 is loaded by a coil spring 46 at one end tending tomaintain the clips 34 and 42 in the bobbin retaining position shown inFigs. 4 and 6.

The bobbin retaining recesses 32'and 40 and their respective'flanges 33and 4! do not extend along the radii of the hopper H but at an anglethereto, so that these recesses and their flanges when .in lowermostposition, extend obliquely downwardly and forwardly, to impart to thebobbin in said lowermost recesses, as it is being ejected therefrom, acorresponding oblique movement in a direction to maintain said bobbinover the forwardly moving shuttle, as will be described more fully.

The transfer mechanism to be described more fully hereinafter, comprisesa transfer shoe 95 operated to engage the heel of the lowermost bobbinI!) on the outer side of the disc I! and to force said heel out of therecess 32. This operation cams the clip 34 out of the way of the bobbinheel being ejected, so that said clip is rotated counter-clockwiseagainst the action of the spring 46, and to an extent limited by theengagement of said clip with the adjoining flange 33, as shown in Fig.5. This rotation of the clip 34 is transmitted through the latch rod 35to the other corresponding clip 42 and causes thereby said latter clipto rotate counter-clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 6. Duringthis movement of the clip 42, its bobbin supporting wing 45 moves out ofthe way of the ti of the bobbin, while the other wing 4 simultaneouslymoves to eject said tip from the recess 45. In this manner, both ends ofthe bobbin are positively forced out of the hopper H at the same time tomaintain the bobbin horizontal without the usual heavy, complicatedtransfer arms and forks.

In filling thehopper i l, the battery hand first unwinds a portion ofthe filling from the bobbin, places the heel of the bobbin against theclip 34 to cam it out of the way and to thereby insert said heel in therecess 32 of the disc I? and presses the tip of the bobbin against thecorresponding clip 42 to cam it out of the way and to effect therebyinsertion of said tip in the recess' lli of the disc it. The end offilling yarn is then passed over the notched thread guide 25 to hold theyarn in proper position to be threaded in the shuttle and is secured bybeing wound severaltimes around the stud or hub of the thread holder ZG.v

The thread holder 26 is constructed to allow its easy application andremoval from the hopper shaft I6. To that end, the holder 29 has ahandle 59 at one end to permit its easy manipulation and houses a coilspring embracing the end of the hopper shaft I6. This shaft end has twostepped successive sections 52 and 53 and the bore of the thread holder26 is correspondingly stepped. The diameter of the smaller bore sectionof the thread holder 26 is slightly smaller than the outside diameter ofthe spring 5| when unstressed to insure firm frictional fastening ofsaid spring to said holder, while the diameter of the larger shaftsection 52 is slightly larger than the inside diameter of said spring toinsure firm frictional holding of said spring to said shaft section. Theouter end of the springEI is anchored to the thread holder 26.

In applying the thread holder 26 to the hopper shaft I6, it is onlynecessary to place the holder with its spring 5| over said shaft-and toturn said holder clockwise while pushing it inwardly over said shaft.This operation loosens the spring 5| and allows for easy entry of thehopper shaft I9 into said spring. To remove the thread holder 26, it isonly necessary to turn said holder in the same direction as whenmounting it on the hopper shaft I6 and to pull it out.

Transfer mechanism The operation of the transfer mechanism shown inFigs. 9-14 is controlled by a starting rod 65 supported in journals 96secured to the forward side of the breast beam I4. Whenever thesubstantial exhaustion of the filling is indicated, a partial revolutionis given to the starting rod 65. This operation sets the transfermechanism for transfer while the lay 91 is moving forwardly.

The lay 6i is secured to swords 68 shown of T-cross-section with aflange I9 extending across one end of a web I I. The sword 68 on theright hand side of the loom where the filling replenishing mechanism ismounted, has at its upper end a recess adjustably holding a steel bunterI2. A latch finger I3 pivotally mounted by a pivot pin I4 is normallymaintained in elevated position and out of the way of the hunter I2 whenno transfer is indicated. When transfer is indicated, the latch fingerI3 is pivotally depressed into operative position, so that it will bestruck by the hunter l2 and forced towards the front of the loom for ashort distance as the lay 61 moves forwardly. This movement of the latchfinger I3, imparted by the motion of the lay 9?, causes transfer of thebobbin from the hopper II to the shuttle l'I, assuming that said shuttlehas been properly boxed, as will be described.

The loom is shown of the type described in copending application SerialNo. 691,237, filed August 1'7, 1946, in which each loomside 89, Figs. 1,9 and 10, comprises a pair of upright frame webs SI and 82 suitablysecured and braced together. The lay sword 68 on the right hand side ofthe loom cooperating with the filling replenishing mechanism is locatedbetween these frame webs 8! and 82 and directly behind the latch fingerI3 in centerline alignment therewith, as shown in Fig. 12, so that themechanism is partially protected by said webs and the stresses set upincidental to the pushing of said latch finger during transfer aretransmitted directly to said sword, thereby reducing to a minimum thestresses and vibrations in the lay 61 due to the transfer pushing actionon said latch finger.

The transfer mechanism shown in Figs. 9-14 comprises a transfer shoe 99having a curved surface 9I for engagement with the upper surface of thebobbin ID to be transferred and having its rear side 89 extendingdownwardly to afford enough shoulder conformation to push the bobbinbeing transferred not only downwardly but also forwardly from the hopperII to the shuttle 41, as said shuttle is moving forwardly with the lay.The transfer shoe 99 has a swivel mounting on a bearing rod 92 confinedfor vertical movement in a guide 93 which in torn is guided forhorizontal movement in the fixed hopper stand I3. The guide 93 serves asa lateral support for the bearing rod 92 as it is moved downwardly alongsaid guide by transfer action.

During the downward transfer movement of the shoe 99, it engages thelowermost bobbin I9 in the hopper II and forces it out of said hopperand into the shuttle 47. In order to hold the transfer shoe 99 againstrotation with respect to the engaged bobbin while said shoe is beingmoved downwardly, said shoe has affixed to the upper end thereof a rodpassing with a free slide fit through a hole in the upper head end ofthe guide 93.

Between the latch finger I3 and the transfer shoe 99 is a transmission,Figs. 9-14, which is operable to effect quick smooth transfer movementof said shoe without overthrow 'of the fresh bobbin in the shuttle 41,without the necessity of stopping the shoe before the bobbin has beencompletely transferred and without the use of any stops. For thatpurpose, the transmission includes a toggle connection comprising aforked lever 96 pivoted at a fixed point 91 and carrying at its outerend the bearing rod 92 on which the transfer shoe '99 is pivotallymounted. Pivotally secured to the lever 96 at I99 is one end of an armI9I, the outer end being pivotally secured to the upper end of thetransfer shoe guide 93 by a pivot rod I93. The pivot rod passes throughthe upper head end of the transfer shoe guide 93 and through ahorizontal guide slot I94 in a spring housing I95 near the base of thefixed hopper stand I3. A pair of coil springs I96 in parallel bores I91of the spring housing I95 bear at one end against the pivot rod I93 tonormally maintain said pivot rod in the non-transfer position shown inFig. 9. In this position, the two lever arms 96 and I'0I of the toggleconnection will extend at an obtuse angle. When the pivot rod I 93 ismoved to the left from the position shown in Fig. 11, upon indication oftransfer, the arm I9-I acting against the lever 96 causes the outer endthereof carrying the bearing rod 92 of the transfer shoe 99 to bedepressed for transfer, as shown in Fig. 12. The linkage as a wholeforms a, straight line motion which causes the bearing rod 92 and thepivot rod I93 to be held in a vertical line always so that the transfershoe 99 is given a retarded downward and forward motion.

When transfer is indicated, the forward movement of the latch finger I3produced by its engagement with the forwardly moving sword bunter I2 istransmitted to the pivot rod I93 and in turn to the transfer shoe guide93. To that end, there is provided a slide IIO seated on the base II Iof the hopper stand I3 and carrying the pivot pin I4 by which the latchfinger I3 is hinged. The slide I III has a rounded upward offset I I 2at one end extending with a snug slide fit in a guide channel I I3formed on the underside of a cross frame p1ate m in the hopper stand is.The other end of the slide H has a downward 7 block, extension Hcarrying the pivot rod H13 of the transfer shoe guide 93 and retainedwith a snug slide fit in a recess H6 formed in the spring housing H15between the two spring retaining bores III! therein, as shownparticularly in Fig. 10.

The latch finger 13 has a recess; l I! inits 1cwer side for receivingthe slide Hil andat its hinge end it is forked to embrace the slideoifset extension H2 in a manner topermit said finger to move angularlywith respect to saidslide. The latch finger I3 is retained in downwardposition shown in Fig. 11 by a leaf: spring lzu'secured near one end tosaid latch finger by studs l2! and bearing at its free end with aslidefit against the underside of the frame plate i M of. the hopper stand H3in the: guide channel H3.

The outer end [22 of the latch finger -13 is tapered and the hunter 12has a lip I23 along its upper edge serving as acatch for said finger endto maintain saidfinger downwardly whileit-is being pushed forwardlyduring transfer.

While no transfer is indicated, the latch finger i3 is maintained inelevatedposition against the action of the spring l2!) and out of thepath of movement of the hunter "1 2 as shown in Fig. 9. When transfer isindicated by the detection of substantial exhaustion of filling or ofthe absence of filling, the starting rod 65 is partially rotatedclockwise (Fig. 9) and this permits the latch finger l? to drop into thepath of movement of the hunter 12 under the action'of-thespring I29, asshown in Figs. and 13. I

Theconnections between the starting rod 65 and the latch finger 13 forefiecting the operation described comprise a crank arm till] secured tothe starting rod 65 and pivotally connected to one end of alink lsl, theother end being pivotally connected to an arm ltZ affixed to a pivot orrocker shaft 533 journalled in a bracket I34 secured to thebreast beaml4. Also affixed to the rocker shaft l33is a cam I35 having a circularsection l3! concentric with the shaft I33 and a notch 538 at one end.The cam l36 cooperates with a pawl its having a fixed pivot support MIand provided on one end with a tongue I42 engaging the surface of saidcam'and adapted to snap into the cam notch I38 by the action of thespring l2!) when said notch reaches a position oppositesaid tongue. Theothercend M3 of the pawl Mt? engages the underside of'an arm 1E4 securedto the latch finger "l3 through the pivot notch E38 and onto the highcircular section I31 of said cam to lift the latch finger l3 against theaction of the spring l2ii'into inoperative position shown in Fig. 9until the next transfer impulse is received.

Shuttle jeeler in which the shuttle 47 does not receive suflie, cientmomentum from the picking motion to enter properly the box t8 on thebattery side of the loom or in which the shuttle rebounds in the for anyreason, in which cases it will project from the shuttle box. To preventthe transpin 'M and in addition'by the stud M5 (Fig. 9

so that said arinis rigid with said latch'fing'er? the operation o f'the connection between the starting rod BEand thelatch finger 13, whileno transfer is indicated, the parts will be as shown in Fig. 9 with thetongue Hi2 engaging the high circular section 137 of the cam 'tomaintain the latch finger '13 elevated in inoperative pos'i-,

ticn against the action of the spring I25. When transfer is indicated,the starting rod 65 is'jziar tially rotated clockwise (Fig. 9) and thecam @3 1 is thereby rotated; clockwise until the tongue -2 on. the pawll liits'na'psfinto the notch This permits the pawl use to rotatecounterclockwise and the latch finger E3 to drop suddenly into thetransfer position shown in Figs. 16 and 13 under the action of thespring lZil.

When transfer has been completed, the starting rod, {i5 is ro'tativelyrestored into the inoperative position shown inFig. 9. This rotates thei313 counter clo'ckwise, and forces f thereby the pawl tongue M2 to becammed outoi the for of the bobbin under this condition, there isprovided a shuttle feeler iiiil. The shuttle feeler, as shown in Figs.9-14 and in greater detail in Fig. 15, comprises a tubular guide 15!secured to a bracket 562, integnal or otherwise rigid with the bracket35, and adjustably retained there' in through a set-screw lfifi.Slida-ble in the tu bular guide IBI is a feeler plunger H54. A pin 565extending through the plunger ltd and through diametrical opposedelongated slots lit in the guide lei is engaged at its outer project ingends by the forked prongs of an arm it? ai fixed to the pivot shaft l33.

At its outer end, the plunger ltd has a recess H0 in which is pivoted atill a thread guide feeler tip ll'Z which is urged counter-clockwi e inlimiting position shown in Fig. 15 by a spring pressed pin Hi3, slidablein said plunger and which has a tail H l projecting obliquely downwardlyand away from said plunger. The feeler tip H2 prevents the threadextending from; the

tip of the shuttle being detected from being jammed between the shuttleand the plunger 584 and from being injured thereby during de- 0 tectingmoveinentof said plungen. The upper outer surface Ilia of the feeler tipH2 is convexly curved to cause the thread thereon to slide smoothlythereover towards the upper side of the plunger its. If the threadengages the lower part of the feeler tip (H2 below the pivot point Hi,the resilient mounting of said tip will prevent said thread from beingunduly tensioned while it is riding upwardly along the inclined surfaceof said tip; recess ill in the lower outer'end oifthet'ubelfil isadapted to receive the tail end ti t ,of the feeler tip it? in thewithdrawn position of saidplunger. I

For adjusting .the effective length of'the shuttle feeler to accommodatefor shuttlesjoi dif ferent widths, apart of the length of the-plunger[54 is hollow to receive therei with a snag slide fit an adjusting rod183 through which the pin snugly extends. through-a pair ofdiametrically opposite. elon gated slots t8! .in the wall o'f-theplunger let. An adjusting sCrewfl'BZ is threaded in the-inner end of theplunger "[68 and has a stem [83 of reduced diameter with a .rotativeiconn ection to the adjusting rod H30 whichperrnitssaid screw to turnrelative to said rod without moving said.

screw and said rod relatively axially. 'Thisconnection comprises a pinI8 3 extending pe a peripheral recessli'BE 3 in .t lleserew st andpartly in a. recess vllmsir' thelinicr pe i ofthe wall of said rod.'The'adjusting screw ml The V pin lt extends 11 has a flat fillisterhead I88 designed to receive. a screw driver and a flange I90 whichengages the inner end of the plunger I64 and thereby predetermines oneadjusted position of the plunger.

The shuttle feeler I60 is shown in Fig. centrally adjusted. To adjustfor shuttle width, the screw I82 is turned to move the plunger I64axially from the position shown in Fig. 15. Since the adjusting rod I80is held against axial movement with respect to the arm I61, through itssnug connection with the pin I85, the turning of the screw I82 from theposition shown in Fig. 15 merely moves the plunger I64 axially. Withthis arrangement, the phase of protection with respect to the movementof the lay is maintained constant regardless of the width of theshuttles used.

When transfer is indicated, if the shuttle 41 is not far enough in thebox 48 for the transfer of a bobbin to take place properly, the tip ofthe shuttle will project from the box and the feeler tip I12 will comein contact with it as the lay comes forward. When this occurs, theplunger I64 will be pushed backwards in the tube MI by the shuttle andthis will raise the latch finger 13 into the position shown in Fig. 14by the means to be described. Under this condition, the transfer of thebobbin from the hopper II to the shuttle 41 cannot take place and theloom will eventually be stopped in the ordinary manner for want offilling.

For effecting protection through operation of the shuttle feeler I60,the link I3I is of the giveway or lost motion type to transmit motion tothe arm I32 clockwise into the position shown in Fig. 13 when transferis indicated and the starting rod 65 has been partially rotated andwhich yields without disturbing the rotative position of said startingrod when protection is indicated by the improper boxing of the shuttle,as shown in Fig. 14. To that end, the link I3I comprises a tube I95having a head I96 threaded therein at one end and pivotally connected tothe crank arm I and a head I91 threaded therein at the other end.Extending into the tube I95 and passing through the head I 91 with asnug slide fit is a rod I98 having a pivot connection with the arm I32.A coil spring 200 encircles the rod I98 in the tube I95 and bears at oneend against acollar 29I pinned or other afiixed to the rod and at theother end against the head I91.

While the starting rod is rotating from the inoperative non-transferposition shown in Fig. 9 to the transfer position shown in Fig. 13, thepawl tongue I42 is riding over the circular section I31 of the cam I36,so that motion is transmitted from said rod through the giveway link I3Iwith a minimum of tension on said link. Motion is, therefore,transmitted through the link I3I without causing relative axial movementbetween the tube I95 and the rod I98 thereof. When protection isindicated requiring revocation of the transfer call, the shuttle feelerarm I61 is moved counter-clockwise from the position shown in Fig. 13 tothe position shown in Fig. 14 by the detective operation of the shuttlefeeler I60. This rotation of the shuttle feeler arm I61 is resisted bythe starting rod 65 (Fig. 14). However, the lost motion connection ofthe link I3I permits this counter-clockwise rotation of the shuttlefeeler arm I61. Through the cam I36 and the pawl I40 this movement ofthe shuttle feeler arm I61 raises the latch finger 13 into theinoperative position shown in Fig. 14 to revoke the transfer 12' callwhich had previously caused said latch finger to drop intotransferposition shown in Fig. 13.

Operation of transfer mechanism and v shuttle feeler Although theoperation of the transfer mechanism and the shuttle feeler is believedapparent from the foregoing description, this operation is hereinsummarized.

While the loom is normally operating and the yarn supply on the runningshuttle is ample, the starting rod 65 will be in the rotative positionshown in Fig. 9, the latch finger 13 will be in raised position out ofthe path of the bunter 12 and the shuttle feeler lplunger I64 will bewithdrawn into the guide tube I6I. In this position of the starting rod'65, the toggle'arms 96 and NI will be in the obtuse angular positionshown in Fig. 11 and the transfer shoe 9!] will be in elevated positiondirectly above the heel of the lowermost bobbin I0 in the hopper II.

Upon the receipt of a transfer impulse from a suitable feeler mechanismindicating substantial exhaustion of the filling, the starting rod 65will be partially rotatedclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 9 tothe position shown in Fig. 13. This operation will causethe cam I36'torotate clockwise until the pawl tongue I42 snaps into the cam notch I38,causing thereby the pawl to rotate counter-clockwise and the latchfinger 13 to drop under the action of the spring I29 into the path ofmovement of the bunter 12. At the same time, the shuttle feeler plungerI64 is projected out of the guide tube I6 I for shuttle feeleroperations. These operations take place while the lay 61 is movingforwardly and while the shuttle 41 is on its way to the box 48 on themagazine side of the loom.

As the lay 61 continues its forward movement, the open end of the box 48just beyond the tip of a properly boxed shuttle moves past the shuttlefeeler tip I12. If the shuttle is properly boxed, the shuttle will clearthe shuttle feeler tip I12, so that the depressed position of the latchfinger 13 will not be interfered with. Upon continued forward movementof the lay, the bunter 12 will en gage the end I22 of the latch finger13 and will move said finger forwardly (left) as shown in Fig. 11.) Asthis latch finger moves towards the left, theslide H0 is also moved inthe same direction causing the block extension II5 of said slide to movetowards the left in the guide recess II6. Since the extension II5carries the pivot rod I03 of the toggle connection, its movement to theleft causes corresponding unisonal movement of the transfer shoe guide93 and-the transfer shoe 60. This causes the two toggle arms 96 and IMto fold abouttheir hinge joint I09 against the-action of the springs I06 and this action in turn causes downward movement of the transfer shoe90.

The transfer shoe 90, as it moves downwardly, engages the heel of thelowermost bobbin on the hopper II and forces it downwardly out of saidhopper. At the same time, the shuttle 41 in the box 48 on the magazineside of the loom is moving forwardly as a result of the forward movementof the lay. The toggle connection operating in conjunction with thelatch finger 13 moves the transfer shoe downwardly along the guide 93and forwardly with said guide, so that the bobbin being transferred ismaintained substantially over the forwardly moving shuttle during thetransfer operation. This affords a greater period during which thebobbin may be transferred and is, therefore, conducive to smootheroperation.

The flange 33 around each recess 32 in the bobbin heel disc I1 and theflange 4| around each recess 40 in the bobbin tip disc I8 slant in adirection to guide the bobbin, not only downwardly but forwardly as itis ejected from the hopper Il in conformity with the downwardly andforwardly oblique movement of the transfer shoe 9!] as shown in Figs.4-7. In its transit between the hopper I,,I and the shuttle 41, thebobbin is under the entire control of the transfer shoe 9!! free frombobbin guides or stops, the bobbin engaging end of this shoe beingshaped as previously described to give the bobbin not only a downwardmovement but at the same time a forward movement.

The toggle connection is so constructed and so correlated with theforward speed of the lay, that the fresh bobbin is delivered into theshuttle 41 smoothly and with a final deceleration which imparts aminimum of momentum to the bobbin as it is engaged by the usual shuttlespring. The transfer shoe 90 travels downwardly and forwardly until thebobbin has been completely deposited in the shuttle, so that said bobbinis under control of said transfer shoe until transfer has beencompleted, and it is deposited into the shuttle at such slow speed astoavoid the possibility of overthrow of the bobbin beyond the shuttlespring. The operation is thereby effected smoothly and efliciently, butnevertheless quickly without stopping the transfer shoe a short distancefrom final shuttle position of the bobbin to avoidoverthrow and withoutthe use of any stops.

As a fresh bobbin is being inserted into the shuttle as described, thespent bobbin is forced out of the shuttle by its engagement with theincoming bobbin and dropped into a suitable receptacle. r

If after the starting rod 65; ha been rotated 40 clockwise into theposition shown in Fig, 13, the extended shuttle feeler tip I12 durin theforward movement of the shuttle engages the tip of the shuttle as aresult ofirnproper boxing, of said shuttle, .then the shuttle feelerplunger I64 will be forced forwardly into the guide tube IBI, causingthereby the shuttle feeler arm I 61 to be rotated counter clockwiseandjthel carn I38 to be rotated in the same direction. This operation ispermitted through the yielding character move out of engagement withthep awl tongue I42. The pawl I40 is thereby rotated clockwise to raisethe latch finger is out of the path.

of movement of the bunter 72 as shown in Fig.

14. Therefore, as the lay continues its forward movement, the hunter I2misses the raised latch finger I3 and the transfer impulse becomesineffective. Under this condition, the transfer of a bobbin fromthe-hopper II to the shuttle cannot take place.

Automatic hopper indexing mechanism connection thereto .or indirectlyby. stud con nections with thebobbin heel disc I! or v by both asshown.. Theratchet gear,2IU, is.operatedby.

a pawl 2 I 3 pivoted, at 22Il ,.to, the. bifurcated pawl,

carrier 2 II which in turnis pivoted at 2 I2 to the;

fixed plate- I2. The pawl 2'I3 is" provided with a projection or toothengaging with the teeth of the ratchet gear. The pawl carrier 2II isoperated from a latch arm 2I5 having a swivel connection at one end withthe pivot rod Itt carried by the transfer shoe guide 93 and having atits other end an angular latch slot 2H1, one section II? of whichextends lengthwise of said arm, the other section 268 extendingtransversely of said arm. A coupling pin 223 secured to the pawl carrier2 slides in the slot 2I5 to form a bayonetjoint connection between saidpawl and the latch arm 2I5.

' A spring 22! has one end affixed to the fixed hopper plate i2 and hasits other end secured to an ear on the pawl 2H3 at a point below thecenter of pivot 220 to urge said pawl, counterclockwise with its toothagainst a tooth of the ratchet gear 2Iil. A spring 222 has one endafiixed to the fixed hopper plate I2 and its other end secured to thebifurcated latch arm 2 i5 and 220 at all times.

nections 229.

located higher than the end affixed to said plate, so that said arm isurged clockwise'about its pivot support 5% and against the coupling pinThe ratchet gear TZII] is locked against counterclockwise rotation atall times by a spring detent 239 secured to a bracket 23I affixed to thefixed hopper plate I2, The ratchet gear 2IIl is locked against clockwiserotation except immediately after transfer by a pawl lock 232 which mayform an integral extension of the bracket 23I and which may be adjustedtherewith horizontally through studs and elongated slot con- The pawllock 232 has an inclined surface 233 along which slides the tooth ofpawl 2I3, the pawl tooth being tapered and in the form of a wedge.During normal operation of the loom, the spring 22! presses the t oth ofpawl 2I3 between the surfaces 233 and a tooth of the ratchet gear are,as shown in Fig. 1'7, and locks said gear against clockwise rotation.

A cam piece 243 is provided for camming the latch arm ZIEicounter-clockwise about its pivot of the k 34 c es the cam notch I 38to.

support I 33 after transfer has been completed,

and to release thereby the pawl carrier 2II for thestep drive of theratchet gear 2 ID. The cam piece 240 is secured to the fixed hopperplate I2 by elongated slot and stud connections 24! to permit horizontaladjustments and presents an inclined cam surfacez lz along which arounded corner 243 of the latch arm 2I5 is adapted to rideas thetransfer operation is being completed as shown in Fig. 19.

Operation of automatic hopper indexing mechanism , Duringnormal loomoperation, before anytransfer is indicated, the parts of the automaticindexing mechanism are as shown in Fig. 17. In.

and this movement is transmitted to the pivot support I93 of thelatch-arm 2I 5, so that said arm f is carried forwardly towards theleft. During the transfer operation thelatch arm 2 I5 slides along the.pin 22iluntil theoffset end 2!,8 of the slot 2I6 reaches opposite saidpin. At that instant, the latch arm 2I5 snaps clockwise through theaction of the spring 222 to effect locking engagement of the offset end2I8 of the slot 2I6 with the pin 220, as shown in Fig. 18. With the pawlcarrier 2H and the latch arm 2I5 interlocked, the return movement of thetransfer mechanism is transmitted to said pawl carrier through thereturn action of the transfer shoe guide 93 towards the right. As thetransfer shoe guide 93 moves to the right, it causes the latch arm 2 Ito move endwise, thereby causing the pawl carrier 2H to rotate clockwiseabout its pivot support 2I2 against the action of the spring 22I. Thisoperation in turn causes the tooth of the pawl 2 I3 to move out oflocking engagement with one tooth of the ratchet gear 2I0 and into thenext interdental space of said gear as shown in Fig. 19. During thisoperation, the corner 283 of the latch arm 2I5 rides along the inclinedsurface 242 of the cam piece 240, thereby rotating said latch armcounter-clockwise until the joint pin 226 is out of the offset slotsection 2IB and in line with the slot section 2 I I to release the pawlcarrier ZI I. At that instant, the released pawl carrier 2 I I rotatescounter-clockwise by the action of the spring 22I and the tooth of thepawl 2I3 engages the tooth of the ratchet gear 2IU and rotates said gearclockwise one step until said tooth is locked against the lock 232 asshown in Fig. 17. This step rotation of the ratchet gear 2 I 0 causesrotation of the hopper l I one step and thereby brings the nextsuccessive bobbin in said hopper in position for the next transferoperation.

It should be noted that the hopper I I is stopped and locked againstrotation after every step feed thereof by means whichis independent ofthe bobbins in the hopper. No stop means engaging the lowermost bobbinis provided as in the prior art, so that no vibrations are transmittedto said bobbin through any such stop means. The stop means in thepresent invention does not, therefore, cause undesirable rotation of thelowermost bobbin about its axis as in the prior art.

Manual hopper indexing mechanism The manual hopper indexing mechanism isshown in Figs. 20 and 21 and comprises a handle 259 having a stud orstem 25I which passes through a slot 252 with a holdingnotch 249 at oneend and which is connected to one end of a bar 253, the other end beingpivotally connected to a lever 255 secured to a pivot shaft 255 having abearing support aifixed to the fixed hopper plate 2. The lever 254 is ofangular shape to define an elbow or bend engaging the coupling pin 22%.When the handle 250 is moved from the extreme right hand position shownin Fig. 20 to the extreme left hand position shown in Fig. 21, the lever254 is rotated counter-clockwise about its pivot support 255 to move thecoupling pin 220. The pawl 2 is thereby rotated clockwise from theposition shown in Fig. 1'7. In this position of the pawl 2I I, theratchet gear 2Ifl will be released for rotation clockwise in any desiredposition independently of any bobbins or the number thereof in thehopper I I. Every part of the hopper I I can, therefore, be madeaccessible for filling with fresh bobbins. Since the transfer andindexing mechanisms are arranged outside of the space between the twobobbin support discs I! and I8 of the hopper II, every station in thehopper I I can be filled with a fresh bobbin without interference fromsaid mechanisms. The abis sence of these mechanisms from between thebobbin support discs H and I8 of the hopper II also serves to keep thebobbin in said hopper free from contamination-from lubricants or otherdirt from these mechanisms.

The manual control for the indexing mechanism is arranged to render thetransfer mechanism inoperative'whilesaid mechanism is under suchcontrol. To that end, there is provided a crank arm 266 secured to thepivot shaft 255 and disposed in engagement with the underside of a latchpiece- 26I,- which is integral or otherwise rigid with the latch fingerI3, extends alongside thereof and projects beyond the bunter engagingtip of the latch arm I3 to one side of the bunter carrying lay sword 68.

While the manual control handle 250 is in the extreme right handposition shown in Fig. 20, the crank arm 260 is disposed below thedepressed position of the latch finger 13, so that said crank arm doesnot normally interfere with transfer operations. .When the handle 250 ismoved to the left into the position shown in Fig. 21, the crank arm 26!)lifts thelatch finger I3 by its engagement with the latch piece 2BIand/or holds said latch finger13 in this elevated position to render thetransfer mechanism inoperative.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to aspecific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not to be limitedthereto, but is to be construed broadly and restricted solely by thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a-pair of spacedsupports for a series of bobbins, a rocker shaft extending between andcarried by said supports, means on one of said supports for releasablyholding the heel of a bobbin and including a holding clip secured tosaid shaft for angular rotation therewith in and out of bobbin holdingposition, means on the other support for releasably holding the tip ofsaid bobbinand including another holding clip secured to said shaft forangular rotation therewith into and out of bobbin holding position, andmeans biasing said rod for movement of said clips towards bobbin holdingposition.

2. In a hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of spacedsupports for a series of bobbins, a rocker shaft extending between andcarried by said supports, means on one of said supports for releasablyholding the heel of a bobbin and including a holding clip secured tosaid shaft for angular rotation therewith in and out of bobbin holdingposition, means on the other support for releasably holding the tip ofsaid bobbin and including-another holding clip secured to said shaft forangular rotation therewith into and out of bobbin holding position, anda coil spring encircling said shaft and operable to urge said clipsangularly-into bobbin holding position.

3. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair ofaxially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discsbeing provided on its periphery with a series of open endedoircumferentially spaced recesses adaptedv to receive the heelsrespectively of a number of bobbins, the other disc being provided onits periphery with a series of open ended circumferentially. spacedrecesses in respective alignmentwith said heel receiving recesses toreceive the tips respectivelyof said bobbins, a clip recess in bobbinretaining position and movable 17 in and out of said position, and,means extending between said discs and united to thepair of clipsassociated with each pair of aligned recesses for movement in unison outof bobbin retaining position to permit ejection of the bobbin from said"disc having a similar series of circumferentially spaced recesses on itsperiphery in alignment with said heel receiving recesses respectivelyandadapted to receive the tips respectively of said bobbins, and amechanismior transferring the bobbins successively from said hopper to ashuttle and comprising a transfer shoe adapted to engage the heel of abobbin in said hopper and eject it out of its disc recess, said hopperalso including a member supported on said other disc in association witheach of its tip receiving recess and movable to eject the bobbin tip insaid latter recess, and means united to said shoe and said memberautomatically operable when the heel of the bobbin is ejected from itsdisc recess for simultaneously moving said member into position to ejectthe tip of said latter bobbin from its tip receiving disc recess. i

5. In a rotary hopper fora loom, the combination comprising a pair ofaxially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discspresenting a series of circumferentially spaced recesses near itsperiphery for receiving the heels respectively of a number of bobbins,the other disc having a similar series of circumferentially spacedrecesses near its periphery in alignment with said heel receivingrecesses respectively and adapted to receive the tips respectively ofsaid bobbins, and a clip pivotally supported on' said other disc neareach of its recesses and movable to eject the bobbin tip in said latterrecess, and means automatically operable when the heel of the bobbin isejected from its disc recess for simultaneously moving the correspondingclip into position to eject the tip of-said latter bobbin from its tipreceiving disc recess.

6. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair ofaxially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discsbeing adapted to support the hee s of-a circular series of bobbins whilethe other disc'is adapted to support the tips of said bobbins, saidother disc presenting a circular series'of bobbin :tip retainingrecesses opening on the inner face of said other disc, and a clippivotally supported on the inner face of said other disc adjacent eachof said recesses and angularly movable about its pivotal support toengage the tip of a bobbin in said recess and eject said tip therefrom.

'7. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair ofaxia ly spaced discs connected for rotation in" unison, one of saiddiscs being adapted to support the heels of a circular series ofbobbins, the other disc being adapted to support the tips of saidbobbins, said other disc presenting a circular series of bobbin tipretaining recesses opening on the inner face of said clip about itspivot support in one direction from a predetermined position and havinga second wing adapted to extend near the outer end of said recessin saidpredetermined position of the clip to retain said bobbin tip in saidrecess and movable out of the path ofejection of said bobbin tip uponmovement of said clip in said direction.

8. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a, pair ofaxially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discsbeing adapted to support the heels of a circular series of bobbins, theother disc being adapted to support the tips of said bobbins, said otherdisc presenting a circular series ofv bobbin tip retaining recessesopening on the inner face of said other disc, a clip pivotally supportedon said other disc adjacent to each of said recesses and having a 'wingadapted to engage the tip of a bobbin radially inwardly of said recessand eject said tip therefrom upon rotation of said 'clip about its pivotsupport in one direction from a predetermined position and having also asecond wing adapted to extend near the radially outer .end of saidrecess insaid predetermined position of the clip to retain said bobbinin said recess and movable out of the path of ejection of said bobbintip upon movement of said clip in said direction, spring means urgingsaid clip towards said predetermined position, and means automaticallyoperable upon ejection of the heel of said bobbin from the hee1supporting disc for rotating said clip in saidldirection against saidspring means.

9.. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair ofaxially spaced discs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discsbeing adapted to support the tips of a circular series of bobbins, whilethe other disc is adapted to support the heels of said bobbins andpresents a circular series of bobbin heel retaining recesses, and asupport flange along one side and along the base of each recess, saidflange missing :irom the other side of said recess, a clip pivotallysecured to said other disc and extending along the fiange ,f-ree side ofeach recess, and springmea-ns urging said clip towards said recess toengage the heel of the bobbin in said recess and thereby retain saidheel therein, said clip being adapted to be moved away from said recessagainst the action of said spring means by the camming action of saidheel thereon as it moves out of said recess.

10. Ina rotary hopperfor a loom, the combination comprisingashaft, adisc mounted for rotation with said shaft and adapted toho'ld releasablythe heels of a series of circularly arranged bobbins, a second discmounted for rotation with said shaft and spaced axially'f-rom said firstdisc, said second disc being adapted to hold releasably the tips of saidbobbins, one of said discs having a hubv embracing said shaft, a spacercollar encircling said shaft and located between said hub and the otherdisc, and removable :fastening means connecting said hub, said spacercollar and said latter disc to ether, said spacer collar being removableand said hub being adapted to be removablyconnected to said latter discwithout said'collar to alter the axial position of the disc having "thehub with respect'to the other disc.

1"1. 'In .a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination'compris'ing ashaft, a disc mounted for rotation with said shafttand adapted to holdreleasably the heels of a series of circularly are rangedbob'bin's, :asecond disc mounted for -ro-' said first disc, said second disc beingadapted to hold releasably the tips of said bobbins and having a hubembracing said shaft, a spacer collar encircling said shaft and locatedbetween said 'hub and said heel holding disc, removable fastening meansconnecting said hub, said spacer collar and said heel holding disctogether, a thread guide on the side of said tip holding disc oppositesaidheel holding disc and having ahub, and a removable connectionbetween said latter hub-a'nd said tip holdin disc, said spacer collarbeing removable from between said first mentioned hub and saidheelholding disc and being adapted to be connected between said secondmentioned hub and said tip holding disc to alter to said heel holdingdisc.

' 12. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combinationcomprising a latch finger mounted for movement between operative andinoperative positions, said latch finger in inoperative position "beingdisposed out of the path of movement of 'a bunter movable with the layand in operative position being" disposed'in the pathof movement of saidbunter and being sup- Ijortedfor slide movement along a straight line','means responsive to a call for transfer'for moving said latch fingerfrom inoperative position to operative position, and means responsive tothe slide movement of said latch finger along sai'dstrai'ghtline'causedbythe movement of thebunter forieffecting a bobbin transfer operationyfii 13, In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combinationcomprising a slide movable'along a straight line, a latch fingerpivotally mounted on said slide and angularly movable about its pivotsupport between operative and inoperative positions, said latch fingerin inoperative position being disposed out of the path of" movement of ahunter movable with the lay and inoperative position being disposed inthe pathof movementof said hunter and movable with 'said slide by thepushing action of the hunter on said latch finger, means responsive toacall for transfer for moving said latch finger angularly frominoperative position to operative-positiong'and' means responsive to theslide movement of said slide along said straight line for effecting abobbi'n transfer operation.

14 11 abobbin transfer mechanism, the com bination comprisirig a; bobbintransfer member adapted to engage a bobbin in a hopper and transfer ittherefrom to a shuttle, a latch mounted for rnovement between operativeand inoperative positions, said latch in inoperative position beingdisposed out of the path of movement of a bunter movable with the'layandin operative position being disposed in the pathof movement of said"bun'ter and being supported forimovementin a predetermined direction bythe'enga'gement of the moving 'bunter therewith, means responsive to acall for transfer for movings said'latch from inoperative position tooperative position, and a toggle connection between said latch and saidtransfer .memberloperatable to move said transfer member into bobbintransferring-g'position as: said latch is moved in saidpredetermined"direction by said bunter.

i 15. In a bobbin transfer mechanism, the combina-ti'onasdescribed inclaim 14, inwhich said toggleconnection ,comprises a lever carryingsaid'bobbin transfer member, an armpivotally connected near oneend tosaid lever intermediate its ends, and a connection between said arm nearits other end and said latch causing the angle between said lever andsaid arm to vary as said latch is moved in operative position by saidbunter, and said transfer member to move into bobbin transfer position.

16. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom,-

the combination comprising a slide movable along a straight line, alatch finger pivotally mounted on said slide and angularly movable aboutits pivot support between operative and inoperative positions, saidlatch finger in inoperative position being disposed out of the path ofmovement of a bunter movable with the lay and in operative positionbeing disposed in thepath of movement of said bunter andmovable withsaid slide by the pushing action of the hunter on said latch finger,means responsive to a call for transfer for moving said latch fingerangularly from inoperative position to operative position, and meansresponsive to the slide movement of said slide along said straightlinefor effecting a, bobbin transfer operation comprising a lever having afixed pivotal support, a bobbin transfer member mounted at the outer endof said lever and adapted to engage a bobbin in a hopper and transfer ittherefrom to a shuttle, an arm pivotally connected at one end to saidlever intermediate its ends and a pivotal connection between the otherend of said arm and said slide.

17.. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combinationcomprising a slide movable along a, straight line, a latch fingerpivotally mounted on said slide and angularly movable about its pivotsupport between operative and inoperative positions, said latch fingerin inoperative position being disposed out of the path of movement of ahunter movable with the lay and in operative position being disposed inthe path of movement of said hunter and movable with said slide by thepushing action of the hunter on said latch finger, means responsive to acall for transfer for moving said latch finger angularly frominoperative position to operative position, and means responsive to theslide movement of said slide along said straight line for effecting abobbin transfer operation comprising a lever having a fixed pivotalsupport, a bobbin transfer shoe having a swivel connection with theouter free end of said lever and adapted to engage a bobbin in a hopperand transfer it therefrom to a shuttle. an arm pivotally connected atone end to said lever intermediate its ends, a pivotal connectionbetween the other end of said arm and said slide, and means formaintaining said transfer shoe against relative movement with respect toa bobbin engaged thereby during bobbin transfer movement of said shoe.

18. In a loom, a hopper on one side of a loom for holding a number ofbobbins, a guide below said hopper having a downwardly extendingguideway and movable forwardly of the loom, a bobbin transfer membersupported for guided movement along said guideway and movable forwardlywith said guide, said transfer member being adapted to engage a bobbinin said hopper and transfer it to a shuttle, and means operable uponreceipt of a transfer impulse for moving said transfer member downwardlyin said guideway to transfer operations and said guide forwardly.

19. In a loom, means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to ashuttle, a shuttle feeler comprising a plunger'movable axially between21 operative and inoperative positions, said plunger in operativeposition being disposed in the path of lay movement of an improperlyboX'ed shuttle and in inoperative position being withdrawn from saidpath, means responsive to the receipt of a transfer indication formoving said plunger into said operative position, and means operablewhen an improperly boxedshuttle moves said plunger axially from saidlatter position for revoking the call for bobbin transfer.

20. In a loom, means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to ashuttle, a starting rod, a transmission between said starting rod andsaid transferring means for initiating the operation of saidtransferring means upon partial rotation of said rod resulting from thereceipt of a transfer impulse and comprising a giveway or lost-motionconnection permitting rendition of said transferrin'g means inoperativeafter said starting rod has been partially rotated, without rotatingsaid rod backward, and a shuttle feeler operable to render saidtransferring means inoperative through said transmissi'onwhen theshuttle is improperly boxed.

21. In a loom, a startingrod, means for transferring a bobbin from ahopper to a shuttle and comprising a latch movable frominoperativeposition out of the pathof a lay supported bunter to operativepositionin said path, and a transmission between said starting rod andsaid latch for moving said latch into said operative position uponpartialrotation of said rod resulting from the receipt of .atransferimpulse. and comprising a giveway or lost-motion connection permittingsaid latch to return to inoperative position after said starting rod hasbeen partially rotated, without rotating said rod backward, and ashuttle feeler operable to permit-said: latch toreturn to inoperativeposition through said transmission when the shuttle-is improperly,boxed, x

22. In a loom; the'com-bination as described in claim 21, in which saidconnection comprises a link having two relatively axially-movable partspermitting the link to vary in effective length,

and spring means for normally maintaining said parts inpredeterminedrelative axia1'p'osition,and a connection between saidshuttle feeler and said transmission beyond said link for operating theportion of said transmission beyondsaid link into position to permitsaid latch to return to inoperativeposition without affecting therotative position ofsaid starting rod. 1 ,7 r I,

23. In a loom, the combination-as described in claim 2'1, comprising aconnection between said shuttle feeler and said trans;nissio-n beyondsaid lost-motion connection for o-p erat ing said trans-- mission beyondsaid latter connection into position to permit said latch to'return toinoperative position, the resistanceto motion. offered when saidtransmission is operated-from the-starting rod to move the latch intooperative position being low enough to cause said-lost-motion, while theforce transmitted, to said lost-'r-n'oti'on -connec,

tion by the shuttle feeler is such as to causefsaid latter connection toyield-withoutaffecting; the rotative position of saidstarting rod. I

24:. In a loom, the combination as described in claim2l, in which saidtransmission comprises a cam member and'a'pa'wlmember in followerengagement with said cam-;member, said lost motion connection beinglocated between said starting rod and said cam member, said combinationcomprising a connection between the shuttle feeler and one of saidmembers to permit said latch to return to inoperative position with- 22out affecting the rotativeposition of said starting rod. I

25. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 21, in which saidconnection has two relatively-movable parts and spring means fornormally maintaining said parts in predetermined rotative positions,said transmission comprising a shaft, a cam on said shaft, an arm onsaid shaft having a pivotal connection with one of said connectionparts, and a pawl in follower engagement with said cam, said combinationcomprising a connection between said shuttle feeler and said shaft andoperable to rotate said cam into position to permit return of said latchinto inoperative position.

26. In a loom, means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to ashuttle, a shuttle feeler having a tip adapted to be engaged by ashuttle when said shuttle is improperly boxed and to actuate said feelerthereby, and means responsive to the actuation of said feeler forrendering said bobbin transferring means inoperative, said tip beingdesigned to guide the thread from the forwardly moving shuttle out ofthe way of the shuttle, so that it does not become jammed between saidshuttle and said feeler. 7

2'7. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 26, in which saidtip is spring pressed.

28. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 26, in which saidfeeler comprises a plunger, and said tip is pivotally mounted at theoperating feeler end of the plunger and is spring pressed into threadguiding position.

29. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 26, in which saidfeeler comprises a plunger having a diametrical slot at its operatingfeeler end, saidtip extending in said slot and having a pivotalconnection therein, said tip being spring pressed. in rotative positionabout its pivotal support and in said position presenting athreadguiding surface slanting upwardly and forwardly towards the other end ofsaid plunger from a point below said pivotal support to a point aboveit.

30. In a m, a rotary hopper and an indexing device for automaticallyrotating the hopper at the end of each bobbin transfer operation andcomprising a ratchet gear mounted for retation with said hopper, a pawlcooperating with the teeth of said gear, means automatically operableduring each bobbin transfer operation for moving said pawl in onedirection along-said teeth from one-interdental space to the next, meansautomatically operable after the bobbin transfer operation has beencompleted for moving I said pawl in the opposite direction one step torotate saidgear one step, andrneans for locking said pawl in positionagainst said gear after being rotated one step to lock said hopperagainst rotation in said one' direction independently of any bobbinsthereon;

31. In, a loom, the combination as described .in Claim 30, in which saidpawl'lo'cking means comprises a lock mounted in fixed position andhaving a wedging surface along which said pawl rides as it moves in saidopposite direction, said pawl being wedged in'locked position betweensaid surface and a tooth of said gear at the end of the one stepmovement of said pawl in said opposite direction.

32. In a loom, a rotary hopper, a mechanism for transferringbobbinssuccessively from said hopper to a shuttle, and comprising a memberadapted to be movedforwardly by the forward movement of the lay, and anindexing device for automatically rotating the hopper at the end of eachbobbin transfer operation and comprising a ratchet gear mounted forrotation with said hopper, a pawl pivotally mounted and having a toothcooperating with the teeth of said gear, and a connection between saidmember and said pawl for angularly moving said pawl about its pivotalconnection and for thereby moving said pawl tooth in one direction alongsaid teeth from one interdental space to the next upon forward movementof said member during bobbin transfer operations, and for angularlyreversing said pawl about its pivotal support and thereby moving saidpawl tooth in the opposite direction one step, to rotate said gear onestep upon return movement of said member, and means for locking saidpawl in position against said gear after being rotated one step to locksaid hopper against rotation, in one direction independently of anybobbins thereon.

33. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 32, in which saidconnection has a bayonet coupling with said pawl to effect said pawltooth operations.

34. In a loom, a rotary hopper, a mechanism for transferring bobbinssuccessively from said hopper to a shuttle, means for rotating saidhopper automatically one step after every bobbin transfer operation,means for locking said hopper against rotation until the next bobbintransfer operation independently of any bobbins on said hopper, andmanually controlled means for releasing said locking means to permitsaid hopper to be rotated manually in any selective rotative positionindependently of any bobbins thereon.

35. In a loom, a rotary hopper, a mechanism for transferring bobbinssuccessively from said hopper to a shuttle, means for rotating saidhopper automatically one step after every bobbin transfer operation,means for locking said hopper against rotation until the next bobbintransfer operation, manually controlled means for releasing said lockingmeans to permit said hopper to be rotated manually, and means operablewhen said hopper is under manual control for automatically renderingsaid transferring mechanism inoperative.

36. In a loom, the combination as described in claim 35, in which saidtransferring mechanism comprises a latch finger movable in and out ofoperative position, and in said position being in the path of movementof a bunter carried by the lay, and in which said means for renderingsaid transferring mechanism inoperative operates to move and hold saidlatch finger in inoperative position out of the path of movement of saidbunter.

37. In a hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair of spacedsupports for a series of bobbins, bobbin end receiving means on each ofsaid supports aligned to receive respectively the heel end and the tipend of a bobbin, means on each of said supports mounted for movementinto and out of bobbin end engaging position,

means extending between said'supports connecting said mounted means forunisonal movement, and means constantly urging said mounted meanstowards bobbin end engaging position.

38. In a hopper for a loom, the combination tive concavities formovement into and out of bobbin end engaging position to respectivelyhold said bobbin ends against movement out of said concavities andpermit movement of said bobbin ends out of said concavities, a rodmember connected to both of said mounted members interconnecting saidmounted members for,

unisonal movement, and means acting on said rod member constantly urgingsaid mounted members into bobbin end engaging position.

39. In a rotary hopper for a loom, the combination comprising a pair ofaxially aligned discs connected for rotation in unison, one of saiddiscs being adapted to support the tips of a circular series of bobbins,the other disc being adapted to support the heels of said bobbins and topresent a circular series of bobbin heel retaining recesses, a clippivotally supported on said other disc near each of said recessesmovable from a heel retaining position to a heel releasing position, andspring means pressing said clip angularly about its support intoposition to block the ejection of the heel of the bobbin from theretaining recess associated with said clip.

40. In a rotary hopper for a loom, comprising a pair of axially spaceddiscs connected for rotation in unison, one of said discs being adaptedto support the tips of a circular series of bobbins, the other discbeing adapted to support the heels of said bobbins and to present acircular series of bobbin heel retaining recesses, a nonresilient clipmounted on said other disc near each of said recesses for movement froma heel retaining position to a heel releasing position, and spring meanspressing said clip into said heel retaining position to block theejection of the heel of the bobbin from the retaining recess associatedwith said clip, said clip in said heel retaining position being' inposition to be cammed out of heel retaining position by said bobbin heelas said bobbin heel is pushed out of said latter recess.

41. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combinationcomprising a latch finger mounted for movement between operative andinoperative positions, said latch finger in inoperative position beingdisposed out of the path of movement of a bunter movable with the layand in operative position being disposed in the path of movement of saidbunter and being supported for movement along a predetermined directionupon engagement of the moving bunter with said latch finger in operativeposition, a starting rod, means responsive to a call for transfer forpartially rotating said rod, and a connection for transmitting thepartial rotation of said rod to said latch finger to move said fingerinto said operative position, said connection comprising a cam mountedfor pivotal movement and having a circular cam surface concentric withits pivotal support and a cam notch, and a cam follower member mountedfor pivotal movement and having a tongue in follower engagement withsaid cam.

42. In a bobbin transfer mechanism for a loom, the combinationcomprising a latch finger mounted for movement between operative andinoperative positions, said latch finger in, inoperative position beingdisposed out of the path of movement of a hunter movable with the layand in operative position being disposed in the path of movement of saidbunter and being supported for movement along a predetermined directionupon engagement of the moving bunter with said latch finger in operativeposition, a starting rod, means responsive to a call for transfer forpartially rotating said rod, and a connection'for transmitting thepartial rotation of said rod to said latch finger to move said fingerinto said operative position, said connection comprising a cam shaft, alinkage between said starting rod and said cam shaft for rotating saidcam shaft upon rotation of said starting rod, a cam secured to said camshaft and having a circular cam surface concentric with said cam shaftand a cam notch, a cam follower member mounted for pivotal movement andhaving a tongue in follower engagement with said cam, and an arm securedto said latch finger and in follower engagement with said cam followermember.

43. In a loom, a loomside comp-rising a pair of parallel frame webs, alay, a sword mounted between said frame webs and supporting said lay, abunter on said sword, and a mechanism for transferring a bobbin from ahopper to a shuttle and comprising a latch movable from inoperativeposition out of the path of said bunter to 0perative position in saidpath, and movable while in operative position in a predetermined.direction by the action of the moving bunter thereon, means responsiveto the receipt of a transfer impulse for moving said latch intooperative position, and means responsive to the movement of said latchin said direction by the action of the moving bunter for initiating theoperation of said transferring mechanism.

44. In a loom, a loomside comprising a pair of parallel frame webs, alay, a sword mounted between said frame webs supporting said lay andprojecting upwardly beyond said lay, a bunter supported at the upper endof said sword, and a mechanism for transferring a bobbin from a hopperto a shuttle and comprising a latch movable from inoperative positionout of the path of said bunter to operative position in said path, andmovable while in operative position in a predetermined direction by theaction of the moving bunter thereon, means responsive to the receipt ofa transfer impulse for moving said latch into operative position, andmeans responsive to the movement of said latch in said direction by theaction of the moving bunter for initiating the operation of saidtransferring mechanism.

26 45. In a loom, a means for transferring a bobbin from a hopper to ashuttle, a shuttle feeler comprising a plunger adapted to be operated bythe shuttle when the shuttle is improperly boxed, and means responsiveto the axial movement of said plunger as a result of improper boxing ofsaid shuttle for rendering said bobbin transferring means inoperativeand comprising an arm having a pivotal connection with said plunger atone end and secured to a rocker shaft at the other end, and operatablethereby through axial feeler movement of said plunger, said shuttlefeeler comprising means for adjusting the axial position of said plungerwith respect to said arm, said plunger being axially adjustable withoutaffecting the position of said arm.

JOHN RINNE.

EVERETT H. ASHTON.

ROBERT G. MALLARD.

EDWARD L. KIELCZEW SKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 753,012 Stimpson Feb. 23, 1904916,362 ODonnell Mar. 23, 1909 939,326 Ryan Nov. 9, 1909 972,942Stimpson Oct. 18, 1910 1,074,530 Ryan Sept. 30, 1913 1,142,938 CromptonJune 15, 1915 1,151,915 Whittaker Aug. 31, 1915 1,259,768 Northrop Mar.19, 1918 1,430,005 Crompton Sept. 26, 1922 1,511,730 Jackson Oct. 14,1924 1,612,179 Cunniff Dec. 28, 1926 1,783,768 Bass Dec. 2, 19301,981,762 Tremblay Nov. 20, 1934 2,031,726 Moore Feb. 25, 1936 2,426,759Blanchard Sept. 2, 1947 2,432,837 Turner Dec. 16, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 560,841 France Oct. 11, 1923

